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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Jimmy HeathLocation Schomburg-MIRS Call # Sc Visual VRA-190 Service copy. Sc Visual VRB-2023 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-190. Author Heath, Jimmy, interviewee. Title Oral history interview with Jimmy Heath, 17 July 1996 [videorecording] / interviewer, Larry Ridley. Imprint 1996 Description 1 videocassette (1 hr., 44 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in. 014400 Note Title supplied; duration: 1 hr., 44 min. Credits Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray. Note Heath performs Winter Sleaves on tenor saxophone with interviewer Larry Ridley on double bass. Recorded on July 17, 1996, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. Summary The oral history interview with Jimmy Heath begins with Heath on tenor sax and Larry Ridley on double bass performing Winter Sleaves, a composition by Heath. A performer, arranger and composer Heath was born October 25, 1926 in Philadelphia. Heath begins by expressing his regard for Louis Armstrong whom he calls the most outstanding creator of the improvisational end of the music; he also tells of his encounter with Armstrong. Heath states his feelings and opinions on jazz education and how he came to be the first-appointed professor of jazz at Queens College in New York City. He aims to teach students to be creators, not imitators; to tell their own stories with their music. Heath's father played clarinet, mother sang in a church and offered each sibling an instrument of his/her choice. In high school, Heath played saxophone in the marching band and studied privately during summers in Philadelphia. After high school, he played in local bands in Philly and toured the south. 1945, Heath played with Nat Toles out of Omaha and first heard Charlie Parker on a jukebox while on tour with Toles. Hearing Parker changed his entire musical direction; Heath then became interested in arranging and composing. His brother Percy returned home from the airforce and persuaded Heath to return to Philly. 1946, Heath formed his own big band with John Coltrane, Benny Golsen, Johnny Coles, Cal and Bill Massey, Specs Wright, Nelson Boyd and Johnny Lynch. Heath met Philly Joe Jones, was influenced by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, and explains how the bebop musicians at that time were trying to advance the harmonic language of their music. States how rigorous practice and studying is required to improvise. He compares music to life: if there is dissonance, resolve it into a consonance--a process of tension and release. On some fellow musicians: Dizzy, one of the most accessible geniuses he ever met, a very sensitive human being; Charlie Parker, a genius who had a mission to create a musical style, he attained great heights as a musician; John Coltrane, the most dedicated and curious person musically he ever met; and describes Paul Gonzalves' breathy style on the alto sax. Heath expresses his disdain for the American hero-worship mentality; so many talented musicians are overlooked because of commerciality and marketing. He states that he is satisfied with having a made a good living out of music and the work he has produced: over 150 compositions, extended works for symphonies, suites, 50-60 compositions recorded by other artists. He continues elaborating on various musicians: Miles Davis, a searching and changeable individual, he admired Miles' taste immensely. Heath interjects by describing his younger years in Philadelphia with the big bands; the Schillinger Method he studied later with Rudolf Schramm at Carnegie Hall; and his first recorded piece, Maggie's Draw (1948, in Paris); and his CTA which was recorded by Miles Davis in 1953. He continues elaborating on: Clifford Brown, the most soft-spoken and humble musician in the business; Lee Morgan, a strong performer even though egotistical; he has the utmost respect for Thelonius Monk as a pianist and composer. (Heath is on the board of trustees for the Thelonius Monk Institute); Horace Silver, one of the most prolific composers. Heath talks about his first extended composition, the Afro-American Suite of Evolution, and his In Praise which was performed at Lincoln Center featuring Joe Henderson, the Percy Brothers plus a big band. Currently Heath is working on music for an album for Sonny Rollins. Heath concludes the interview by describing his parents and the influence they had in his life and by expressing the tremendous amount of respect and appreciation he has for them. He last of all mentions that the Heath Brothers have been included in the Philadelphia Hall of Fame near the Academy of Music, and stresses that even as an African-American in this country, you can reach your goals. Note Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. :Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, 1996. 1 videocassette (MII) ; 1/2 in. VHS. Use terms Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repostory for information. Biography/History Jimmy Heath is tenor saxophone player, arranger,composer and professor of jazz at Queens College, Flushing, N.Y. Born October 25, 1925 in Philadelphia, Heath began playing saxophone in his childhood and played in local Philadelphia bands after high school. Heath's prolific career has included extensive performing, recording, writing (over 150 compositions, extended symphonic works, suites, 50-60 compositions recorded by other artists), and inclusion in the Philadelphia Hall of Fame with his brothers Percy and Tootie (Percy Brothers), with whom he also performs. Note Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. In Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project Subject Brown, Clifford. Coltrane, John, 1926-1967. Davis, Miles. Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917- -- Influence. Gonzalves, Paul. Heath, Albert. Heath, Jimmy -- Childhood and youth. Heath, Jimmy -- Family. Heath, Jimmy -- Interviews. Heath, Jimmy Winter Sleaves. Monk, Thelonius. Parker, Charlie, 1920-1955 -- Influence. Thelonius Monk Institute -- Board of Trustees. Queens College (New York, N.Y.) -- Faculty. Afro-American college teachers. Afro-American composers. Afro-American musicians. Bop (Music) -- United States. Improvisation (Music). Jazz -- Pennsylvania -- History. Jazz -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- New York (N.Y.) Form/genre Biographies. Interviews. Additional name Heath, Jimmy Performer. Ridley, Larry, interviewer. Ridley, Larry Performer. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Donor The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc. |